African Women Lead Agrifood Innovation Through New Fellowship

A new cohort of 25 African women leaders has been selected for the She Leads African Food Futures (SHEAF) Fellowship, an initiative by the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD). This program aims to position women at the center of transforming Africa’s food systems.

The 2026 cohort, spanning Kenya, Malawi, and Senegal, reflects a growing trend across Africa’s $1 trillion agrifood economy, where women are increasingly driving leadership, innovation, and climate resilience within science, policy, and enterprise. This announcement arrives at a critical time, as agriculture employs over 60% of Africa’s workforce, yet women, who comprise nearly half of that labor force, often face structural barriers to leadership and capital access.

A Strategic Intervention in Africa’s Food Systems

AWARD’s SHEAF Fellowship is designed as a targeted intervention to reshape how Africa produces, distributes, and consumes food, addressing challenges like climate shocks, population growth, and shifting global supply chains. The fellows, described by AWARD as “25 inspiring women leaders… shaping the future of Africa’s agrifood systems,” represent a diverse range of expertise.

The cohort includes policymakers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and development practitioners, each working on scalable solutions across various value chains, including agroforestry, livestock, agri-fintech, nutrition, and climate-smart agriculture.

The Fellows: Leadership Across Borders

The new cohort comprises leaders from Kenya, Malawi, and Senegal, each contributing unique skills and experience.

From Senegal, Aminata Beye, an agroforestry specialist and PhD candidate, leads national landscape restoration efforts, integrating livestock productivity with environmental sustainability. Deks Pouye Deguene, also from Senegal, focuses on youth employment and seed system innovation, embedding gender equity into agricultural transformation frameworks. Gomis Marie Noel co-founded Freslia in Senegal, building nutrition-driven agribusiness value chains that integrate women farmers. Khady Sene, CEO of Value Crops Africa & Trade, bridges agriculture and digital innovation to improve efficiency and market access. Mame Sana Cheikhou Oumar Diop, Country Director at Tree Aid, leads nature-based solutions restoring degraded land and building rural livelihoods. Dr. Mariam Amadou Diallo, a macroeconomist at FAO, translates data into actionable policy for equitable agrifood systems. Ndeye Bouba Mbengue, a senior researcher at ISRA, brings expertise in plant breeding and biofortified crops, emphasizing rural women’s inclusion.

Malawi’s representatives include Andikuza Litete-Makhumula, CEO of Greenleaf Investments, designing inclusive agribusiness models. Babettie Abigail Juwayeyi, a value chain specialist, has reached over 19,000 households and facilitated more than $500,000 in financing. Dr. Babra Ntapara leads multi-sector agricultural diversification strategies. Harriet Jenala Gausi focuses on livestock genetics and sustainable production. Jane Tumanyene Mwamlima integrates nutrition, climate resilience, and rural development. Mercilina Lwanda strengthens agricultural commercialization systems. Yamikani Malunga advances agroforestry adoption. Tadala Mtimuni develops water treatment technologies. Tawonga Nyirenda pioneers circular economy solutions using Black Soldier Fly Larvae.

Kenya’s fellows include Dorah Kwamboka Momanyi, exploring agroforestry’s impact on nutrition and livelihoods. Dr. Mirasine Meigura oversees resilience programs across seven countries. Florin Kwamboka Nyakawa develops clean energy solutions from agricultural waste. Jayne Achieng Wasonga leads programs empowering rural women. Joyce Ndunge Musyoka strengthens food safety systems. Naanyu Manei drives agroecology and climate action. Pauline Atieno Owiti promotes youth-led climate-smart agriculture. Pauline Wambui Irungu develops inclusive financial systems. Veronica Muthoni Murage transforms research into policy-relevant insights.

Entrepreneurship at the Core of Transformation

A defining characteristic of this cohort is their entrepreneurial focus. Many fellows lead ventures or programs directly connecting farmers to markets, integrating technology into agriculture, or unlocking financing – areas recognized as key bottlenecks in Africa’s food systems.

Examples include SeedBiz from Malawi and Freslia from Senegal, demonstrating operational businesses delivering measurable outcomes in productivity, income generation, and climate adaptation. This aligns with the rise of mission-driven African entrepreneurship tackling systemic challenges in food security, climate resilience, and inclusive growth. While venture capital into agritech and climate-focused startups has increased, funding remains concentrated in a few markets, and initiatives like SHEAF aim to expand the pipeline, particularly for women leaders.

From Fellowship to Systemic Change

The SHEAF Fellowship represents a transition for many fellows, moving them from participation to leadership and from local impact to systemic transformation.

“Through the Fellowship, I hope to design agrifood systems where women entrepreneurs don’t just participate but lead,” stated Babettie Juwayeyi.

Africa’s population is projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, requiring leadership and innovation to ensure sustainable food production, job creation, and climate risk mitigation. AWARD’s investment in this cohort reflects a belief that Africa’s next agrifood revolution will be driven by women equipped to lead it.